Walking stick with S-shaped flexure mechanism to store and release energy
a technology of flexure mechanism and walking stick, which is applied in the field of walking stick, can solve the problems of limited ability of people to negotiate landscapes and ground conditions, limitation of standard walking stick ferrule, and deterioration of terrain surface, so as to reduce wasted energy, reduce discomfort, and increase the ability of a person to negotia
Active Publication Date: 2017-09-19
LAND FLYERS LLC
View PDF8 Cites 8 Cited by
- Summary
- Abstract
- Description
- Claims
- Application Information
AI Technical Summary
Benefits of technology
The walking stick reduces user fatigue, enhances capability on complex terrains, and minimizes terrain damage by efficiently transferring energy and providing improved traction and stability.
Problems solved by technology
Standard walking sticks, hiking poles, and ski poles can only assist a person's capability to negotiate a limited number of landscapes and ground conditions.
Another limitation of the standard walking stick is the pointed tip of the ferrule.
This contributes to deterioration of the terrain surface as the pointed tip slices through and grabs into the surface.
It also causes the user to expend excess energy to remove the tip from the terrain surface and places transverse forces across the walking stick which contributes to walking stick failure (breakage).
Method used
the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View moreImage
Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Smart ImageViewing Examples
Examples
Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test
Embodiment Construction
[0033]Referring to FIG. 2, therein is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention. This walking stick, generally designated by numeral 10, is molded as a single unit of fiberglass, carbon, aircraft aluminum, or other composite material. The appropriate material will be selected to achieve desired duty cycle and performance characteristics. Walking stick 10 includes a straight shaft 28 terminated at the upper end with a handgrip 14 and at the lower end with an S-flexure spring 16 and optionally a foot 24. Walking stick 10 may be constructed of ceramic, laminated linear fiberglass, aircraft aluminum, or other composite material. As those skilled in the art of extrusion molding are aware, the S-flexure spring 16, the foot 24, the straight shaft 28, and the handgrip 14 may be molded of laminated linear fiberglass as a single unit by adjusting the thickness and orientation of the premolded composite material at the appropriate positions along the length of the walking stick. In a prefe...
the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More PUM
Login to View More Abstract
A walking stick that takes inspiration from nature to absorb energy in the downward first motion of a walking stride and then return the stored energy to aid in propelling the walker forward in the final forward motion of the walking stride all the while keeping the walker in an ergonomically correct position which minimizes discomfort and reduces wasted energy. The walking stick that is the subject of this patent application utilizes a dual flexure spring configured in an S-shape (hereafter referred to as an S-flexure spring) as an extension of the straight shaft of the stick. The shape and location of the S-flexure spring are such that the spring force helps propel the walker forward.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS[0001]Priority for this patent application is based upon provisional patent application 61 / 821,198 (filed on May 8, 2013) and non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 14 / 273,527 (filed on May 8, 2014). The disclosure of these United States patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference into this specification.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates in general to mobility aid sticks and, more specifically, to a walking stick with a built in a dual flexure spring above the foot of the walking stick.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Walkers, climbers, and other participants can benefit from walking sticks that have the feature of returning kinetic energy that is acquired as the walking stick compresses in contact with the ground. This retained energy has the benefit that the users have to expend less of their own energy moving their legs forward, thus allowing them to walk or climb further and faster more comfortably a...
Claims
the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More Application Information
Patent Timeline
Login to View More Patent Type & Authority Patents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A45B9/04A61H3/02A45B7/00A45B9/02A45B9/00
CPCA45B9/04A45B7/005A61H3/0288A45B9/02A45B2009/007A45B2200/055
Inventor RUDIN, NEAL H.
Owner LAND FLYERS LLC